When asked about her hopes for the weekend's Ball State Invitational, freshman Courtney Wild wanted the women's tennis team to simply improve from the last matches it played, where it went a combined 14-16.
The Cardinals certainly reached their goals on Friday as Ball State finished 19-4 overall.
Five Cardinals advanced to the finals of their respective draws: Wild, sophomore Kristel Sanders, freshman Ashlyn Rang, senior Sarah Hebble and senior Kylee Johnson.
Wild continued her exceptional play, as she won her first match against IUPUI 6-2, 6-3, then defeated Kayla Tuscany of Wright State 6-3, 6-2, to advance to the finals in her draw for the second straight invitational.
Sanders beat Valparaiso 6-2, 6-3, and Dayton's Maureen Stevens 6-2, 6-0.
"The girls played really well. They just continue to improve every time." Ball State coach Christine Bader said.
Rang defeated Elena Strakhova of University of Detroit Mercy 6-3, 6-4, then won against IPFW's Raquel Vescovi 6-1, 7-6, (8).
Hebble overcame Wright State 7-5, 6-0, and followed that with a victory against Alex Forsyth of IPFW 6-3, 6-1.
Johnson defeated Dayton, then IUPUI to advance to the finals.
The duo of Wild and Sanders also won in doubles, posting an 8-0 victory over Valparaiso.
Junior Lauren Pickrel and senior Dena Boulieris teamed up in doubles to beat Wright State 9-8, (7-3).
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